I was finally sitting down on the couch for a minute after a long day of work, getting dinner ready, doing dishes, and corralling my kiddos. I had been trying to sit down for about ten minutes, but my littlest bean (4 year-old) needed a drink…then he needed a “potty friend”…then he needed to find a specific train…then he needed a blanket. So, when I finally sat down, I know I must have audibly sighed when he came up saying “Mommy, Mommy…”. I am sure my answer was not overly enthusiastic when I said, “Yes, Jackson.” He looked up and said “Cuddle me quick, mommy. You is my only hope!”

I stopped in my tracks. When you live in a household full of boys, being compared to Obi Wan Kenobi is high praise indeed. I immediately took him in my arms and cuddled my sweet baby while my eyes filled with tears. In that moment, I was a hero. Most days, I am not so sure that, as I parent, I would fit this bill. Most days, I feel more like the villain of the story. I wondered about heroes and villains long after he got up and went about his play.

As parents, there are times when our children are going to be mad or upset at us. I don’t know how many times I have been the meanest mommy in the world. Most of these times, it was for good reason. You see, sometimes being a good parent means being a villain. We have to say “no”. We have to set limits. We have to help our children learn from natural consequences. The villain may get pegged as the bad guy, but often it is he or she who pushes the hero to be better. That is what I hope to do for my children.

It is hard being a villain! I want to my children to be happy all the time, but I know, that in order to help them to be better, I will have to be the bad guy sometimes. So, I grit my teeth, hide the tears, and push through because I know that I will have many opportunities to be the hero. When those chances come, I want to take full advantage of them. I mean, who can pass up the opportunity to be someone’s “only hope”?!

Final thoughts:

If you need some help honing your parenting super powers, we are here! There is no better time to act than now! Remember, Babies Can’t Wait! Contact the Parent Education –Infant Development Program of the RACSB: http://www.racsb.state.va.us/

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About Brandie

Join my blog to find early childhood developmental tips, tidbits, strategies, and activities to support children and families. As a mother of multiple sons (18, 14, 8, 6, and 3), I know that life can be hectic, so all strategies and activities can fit in the context of daily routines and places families typically go.

I am enthusiastic about supporting families who have concerns about their child’s development and helping connect them to desired resources.

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